Numerous efforts have been made at Tri-Alpha Energy (TAE) to theoretically explore the physics of microwave electron heating in field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas. For the fixed 2D profiles of plasma density and temperature for both electrons and thermal ions and equilibrium field of the C-2U machine, simulations with GENRAY-C ray-tracing code have been conducted for the ratios of / ci[D] in the range of 6 – 20.

Monitoring the complete magnetic evolution of the plasma is essential for understanding the system’s dynamics. Over 1000 B-field signals are monitored to provide both post-shot analysis data and data for an advanced active feedback system under development

Tri Alpha Energy’s C-2W device is operational and represents another major step in a progression of advanced beam-driven Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) confinement devices that have prolonged the lifetime, increased stability and added significant neutral beam injection power to heat and sustain an FRC plasma.